That morning the sun was only partially shining when Julie woke up. She opened her bedroom window widely. Letting the fresh morning breeze hit her face.
"Hahhh, so fresh." Julie took a deep breath of the morning air. Filling her chest with the fresh air. "Ah... morning air is the best."
Julie quickly washed her face and changed into her gym clothes. She was used to jogging in the morning. Juliette loved physical activity. There were only two things that interested her in this world. Sports and music.
"Morning aunty..." Juliette greeted Aunt Intan who was preparing breakfast in the kitchen. "Is there anything Julie can help you with?"
"Ah Julie, no need, aunty just made a simple menu so there's not much to do." Aunt Intan looked at Juliette. "Do you want to exercise?"
"Yes, aunty. Is there a jogging track around here?"
"There is, in the middle of this housing complex there is a large park and there is a jogging track too."
"Ah then Julie go there first aunty." Juliette said excitedly.
"Oh Julie, take Nathan and Andrew along. They rarely exercise." Aunty Intan said in between her busy activities.
Juliette's spirits dropped instantly. She could already imagine how the two brothers would react. But she also couldn't refuse Aunt Intan's request. "Yes, Aunty." Juliette answered at last.
Juliette went back upstairs and stopped in front of Nathan's room. She felt reluctant to meet that young man.
Knock knock knock. Juliette finally knocked on the door after a long silence.
"One moment." Nathan said from inside.
And when the door opened, Nathan's flat face turned into a frown when he saw Juliette in front of his room.
"What do you want?" Nathan's glare was never absent from his face when dealing with Julie.
Juliette smiled as sweetly as she could. Although it was only on her face. "Aunt Intan asked me to take you for a morning run together. Ah, and Andrew too. So, let's go to the park." Juliette tried to maintain her smile even though it was very hard to do because of Nathan's increasingly sharp gaze.
Nathan took a step closer to Juliette. Now they were only a few centimeters apart. Nathan bent down slightly to get closer to Juliette. "You're an idiot huh? I told you clearly last night, don't interfere in my life, pretend we don't know each other. I'll pretend you don't exist either. Transparent!" Nathan spoke in a low but emphasized voice. He didn't want anyone else to hear their conversation.
Finished speaking, Nathan went straight back into his room and closed the door tightly.
"Hah! I was prepared for that kind of reaction. But it still feels AWFUL...." Juliette walked away, but a second later she turned around and returned to the front of Nathan's room. She kicked the door of his room hard. "you dead!"
Juliette walked away once she was satisfied with her emotions. She couldn't figure it out. How could Nathan hate her so much. Does he blame me for the incident five years ago? After all, I indirectly caused them to experience all that. If they had lived in city A and gone to an international school from the start... they wouldn't have had to go through that...
"Hahhh I don't know!!! Now I'm going to exercise first. No need to think about that annoying creature named Nathan!"
Juliette still remembered that she saw a large park on the way to Terrence's house with her father.
The streets in this neighborhood were neatly organized. There were trees lined up nicely along the road. Providing shade when the sun was blazing. There are also mini gardens in every alley. It was a very beautiful layout.
It didn't take long, Juliette had found the park Aunt Intan was referring to and started running a little. She loved the morning air. As she ran, a fresh breeze would hit her face. It felt very pleasant.
Many people were spending the morning there. There were elderly people walking leisurely, children playing with their peers, and teenagers exercising just like Julie. It was a pleasant atmosphere. In a few moments, the park became Juliette's favorite place.
Juliette had already run two laps of the track. She rested on one of the benches available there. Sweat was pouring down her face and body. She forgot to bring a towel because of someone annoying.
"Ahhh I don't want to go home. It's so peaceful and fresh here. And most importantly, no irritating people!!!" Juliette muttered to herself. Not realizing there was someone watching her from earlier.
"Hi..." A young man in his 20s greeted Juliette suddenly. "You're new, aren't you? I think this is the first time I've seen you." The young man smiled kindly.
"That's right. I just moved in yesterday." Juliette replied no less friendly.
"I see. So now we are neighbors. Introducing, I am Langit. I live in block C, the end of the house. You?" The young man introduced himself. He looked kind and gentle.
"I'm Juliette, I live in my aunt's house, but... I don't really remember, what block it is... Sorry." Juliette didn't remember the full address of Terrence's family home, she only remembered the name of the neighborhood.
"Ahaha it's okay, no need to feel guilty like that. Now... are we friends?" Asked Langit. It was obvious that he was interested in Juliette.
Juliette is a sweet girl. It's only natural that many guys are interested in her. Her skin was pure white, her eyes were wide with delicate eyelashes. Her face is lovely with a soft and graceful impression. She has a little German blood from her mother's family. Her stature was tall and slim. She was the perfect figure for a young girl.
"Sure." Juliette replied without hesitation. "Do you go to the park every morning?"
"Yes. The atmosphere here is very pleasant. I usually exercise here every morning. If I'm lazy, sometimes I just play the guitar with my friends."
"You can play the guitar?" Juliette's eyes sparkled with interest.
"Yes. Do you like it too?" Asked Langit. He looked happy because he had something in common with the girl who attracted his heart.
"Ah, I'm not very good at playing the guitar. But I really like music. I'm better at singing than playing instruments." Juliette explained. She seemed to enjoy talking about music.
"I see. Do you want to do a duet sometime? You sing, I play the guitar, how about it?" Offered Langit. Actually, he was making an excuse to meet Juliette again.
"Wahh... of course." Juliette was very enthusiastic about Langit's invitation. "How about the day after tomorrow? I have an entrance exam to Belleza on Monday. There are still 4 days left. I can consider our duet as practice."
"You want to enter Belleza?" Asked Langit.
"Yes, you know Belleza right?"
"Of course, it's the pride of our city. But I heard that the entrance exam is very strict. Only people who really have artistic talent can get in."
"Hey, are you doubting me? I'm sure I can get in there." Juliette replied without hesitation.
"Really?" Langit gave a small grin. Deliberately teasing Juliette.
"Sure. Okay, let's bet. If I get in. You have to buy me ice cream." Juliette didn't like being underestimated.
"That's fine. But what if you fail?"
"I won't fail!" Juliette insisted.
"Yes, fine. But if. It's if. If you fail. You treat me."
"Sure. But I won't fail."
"My, my, your confidence is really good." Langit shook his head at how confident Juliette was.
"It's not just confidence. But because I know how far I can go. And I know for sure, I can exceed Belleza's standards." Juliette replied.
Langit was getting more and more mesmerized every time Juliette spoke. She was a girl with a strong character, knew her abilities, and was willing to work hard to realize her dreams. Incredible. Rarely do I meet a girl who is strong and doesn't like to depend on others. She's really special.
"Yes, we can see the day after tomorrow. Don't run away. I'm really looking forward to doing a duet with a 'talented person'." Langit grinned again. Showing off his neat rows of teeth. He was a handsome young man. His eyes were soft and mature. His stature was tall and athletic. But also looks fragile because his skin is very white.
"Of course. Julie is not a coward." Juliette smiled sweetly. She seemed to be enjoying her chat with her new friend. "Ah, it's getting sunny. I should get back."
"Can I walk you?" Asked Langit. His face was hopeful.
Juliette looked surprised. She didn't expect to get such an offer. But then smiled again. "Sure."
They both got up. Walking slowly towards the Terrence family's house. They continued to talk about various things. Juliette was easy to get along with new people. And Langit was a fun person to talk to. It was only a matter of time before they became close.
Langit couldn't stop looking at Juliette. Along the way, he continued to be mesmerized by the beauty of the girl walking beside him. Yes... He already had his heart set on that girl....